The Privacy Dilemma: Lesson Plan for Senior Classrooms
Level: Grades 9 - 12
Author: Matthew Johnson, Director of Education, MediaSmarts
This lesson was made possible with financial support from the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada.
This lesson is part of USE, UNDERSTAND & CREATE: A Digital Literacy Framework for Canadian Schools.
Overview
In this lesson students consider and discuss the trade-offs we all make on a daily basis between maintaining our privacy, and gaining access to information services. The lesson begins with a series of guided questions to help students assess their own perceptions of privacy and determine their comfort levels with giving out personal information. This is followed by a series of exercises and case studies that encourage them to delve deeper into privacy issues. As a summative activity, students produce short video essays that reflect those privacy issues they consider to be important.
Learning Outcomes
Students will:
- learn about the risks of giving out personal information online
- consider and debate the importance of privacy relative to other concerns, such as security and access to online services
- understand the possible consequences of posting photos, personal information and messages
- become aware of the distinction between privacy and security
- form and express opinions
- create a media product
This lesson and all associated documents (handouts, overheads, backgrounders) are available in an easy-print, pdf kit version.